Top News:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankees' Ace Has Become a Leader — TAMPA, Fla. — C. C. Sabathia played the role of good teammate on Sunday and, as usual, it came naturally. Sabathia uses a slide step from the stretch, which helped Jorge Posada catch three potential base stealers in a minor league game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
SABATHIA ITCHING FOR SEASON TO BEGIN — TAMPA CC Sabathia already is envisioning Opening Day for the Yankees and getting excited. — It all seems tangible now. Two weeks from today, the Yankees face the Orioles at Camden Yards, and Sabathia likely will be the one throwing his team's first pitch of the 2009 season.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Posada cuts down three baserunners — Yanks catcher shows surgically repaired shoulder is in good shape — TAMPA, Fla. — In the surest sign yet that Jorge Posada's surgically repaired right shoulder will be prepared for Opening Day, the Yankees catcher unloaded strong throws to cut down three baserunners on Sunday.
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves' other Jones having spring jam — Athletic outfielder raking after poor Grapefruit League last year — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Brandon Jones has a knack for masking his emotions. There were no apparent signs of disgust when he squandered an opportunity to make last year's Opening Day roster.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
Mets 12, Braves 1: Johan rolls — Johan Santana tossed five solid innings, limiting the Braves to a solo homer by Matt Diaz in his final frame and one other hit, as the Mets won, 12-1, Sunday. Dillon Gee, Mike Antonini, Pedro Feliciano and Sean Green combined for four scoreless relief innings.
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Manuel plans to bat Murphy second in Mets' order
Manuel plans to bat Murphy second in Mets' order
Discussion:
Mike Silva's …, 24 Hours From Suicide, The Mets Police, Mets Merized Online and The 'Ropolitans
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Padres' offense could surprise — Club posting impressive numbers, despite naysayers — PEORIA, Ariz. — If San Diego's offense were a restaurant, it would be getting one-star reviews from some observers. — Scouts have generally been remarkably unimpressed by the Padres' lineup.
Discussion:
Hardball Times
Evan Grant / InsideCorner:
Sunday Notebook: Jones Willing To Be A Part-Time Player; Rangers Remain Committed To Chris Davis And More — SURPRISE, Ariz. - Andruw Jones passed perhaps his most significant test of the spring Sunday morning: It was the test of enthusiasm. — He assured the Rangers of his desire to play for the club …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Scotgreg / Chicago's Inside Pitch:
Sox lock up Floyd; trade Stewart — PHOENIX _ And the trade is...catcher Chris Stewart to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later. — How is that for a blockbuster? — There was a major announcement though _ the White Sox and starting pitcher Gavin Floyd agreed to a four-year, $15.5 million contract extension.
Discussion:
MLB.com, South Side Sox, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, MLB Rumors, Yahoo! Sports and River Avenue Blues
Aaron / AaronGleeman.com:
Replacing Mauer — After meeting with various doctors about his back injury, Joe Mauer admitted Friday that he's unlikely to be ready for Opening Day and general manager Bill Smith explained that “there's not a timetable right now to say when he is going to be on the field.”
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Andrew Baggarly / Extra Baggs:
Dave Roberts not ready to announce his retirement, but he's leaning that way — I just got off the phone with Dave Roberts. He isn't ready to announce his retirement just yet, but he is leaning that way. Roberts has told his agent, John Boggs, to be selective. He won't play just anywhere in a bid to extend his career.
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Randy Wolf does it all in Dodgers win — He pitches six scoreless innings and has a two-run double in the second inning of an 11-4 victory over the Texas Rangers. — Reporting from Phoenix — Randy Wolf pitched longer than any Dodger pitcher has pitched this spring, tossing six scoreless innings Sunday …
Discussion:
MLB.com
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Taschner thinks trade is possible — Giants left-hander feels good physically, but results haven't come — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — This time, Jack Taschner believes the trade rumors involving him. — Taschner said Sunday that he doubted speculation that arose before the Trade Deadline last July 31.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors